Two annual apple butter festivals offer West Virginia residents a taste of autumn. One festival is in Berkeley Springs, in the northeastern part of the state, about 33 miles west of Hagerstown, Maryland. Berkeley Springs is home to mineral-rich natural springs and a vibrant artistic community. The second festival is in Salem, a historic community in the coal-rich region of northwestern West Virginia, about an hour east of the Ohio border. Visitors at either festival can choose from a variety of entertainment options and attractions.

Berkeley Springs: Entertainment and Contests

Berkeley Springs had its first Apple Butter Festival in 1974, and has continued it annually in early October ever since. The two-day event kicks off with a parade followed by opening remarks at the bandstand in Berkeley Springs State Park (berkeleyspringssp.com). The bandstand is the site of free live entertainment all weekend. Past acts have included the Critton Hollow String Band and Hillbilly Huxters. The star of Berkeley Springs' fall festival is its apple butter competition. The competition takes place in the town square, where the spiced mixture is created in copper kettles over open fires. Anyone passing by is welcome to stir the concoction with a long-handled wooden spoon. Apple butter is for sale from several vendors. The festival features contests such as an egg toss, turtle race, hog calling and male facial hair contest.

Berkeley Springs: Other Festival Attractions

Between the live music and contests, festival goers can stroll through the park to grab a bite to eat or browse goods from over 200 vendors. The marketplace showcases arts and crafts, antiques, canned goods, a farmer's market and local artwork. Food vendors cook half chickens, whole hogs and beef over open fires. Other concession items include onion blooms, sandwiches, funnel cakes and apple dumplings. Many restaurants, stores and galleries in downtown Berkeley Springs offer festival specials and sales.

Salem: Entertainment and Contests

Salem's annual Apple Butter Festival has been in early October since 1985. It features apple butter making demonstrations. The apple butter is slowly cooked in copper kettles over open fire. Once finished, the apple butter is canned and available for visitors to buy. The festival has free entertainment from acts such as the Powell Family, Ray Hileman and Wheels of Country and The Common Tradition Band. Other features include a 5K run, pet show, parade and celebrity auction. Contests include an apple butter competition, talent show, apple pie contest and beauty pageant.

Salem: Other Festival Attractions

In addition to live entertainment and contests, Salem's Apple Butter Festival also features arts and crafts, food vendors, pony rides at the Wooden Bridge and a quilt show at Salem Baptist Church. Additionally, the Doddridge County 4-H offers a petting zoo, and the pavilion has daily bingo games.

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About the Author

Caryn Anderson combines extensive behind-the-scenes writing experience with her passion for all things food, fashion, garden and travel. Bitten by the travel bug at the age of 15 after a trip to Europe, Anderson fostered her love of style and fashion while living in New York City and earning her degree at New York University.